The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-09-22
[Cambrian.1
Early Welsh Settlers In
America

Many of the early Welsh settlers il
America were the immediate predecessor
of several who distinguished themselve
during the Revolutionary War. Thes,
were, many of them, religious men O.
high standing, strongly imbued with th'
principles of civil and religious liberty
They were found among the earliest i'm
migrants of New England and Virginia
William Penn, the founder of Pennsylva
mia, who himself claimed to be descend
ant of the Ancient Britons who lived il
Devon and other counties south and ives
of Bristol, had warm and strong par
tiality for the Welsh, to whom he hel(
forth every encouragement to settle il
Pennsylvania. Large settlements of then
were formed in the vicinity of Philadel
phia, Chester, Delaware. and other coun
ties in the State. These flourished, long
retained their ancient language, the Gym
raeg, and became distinguished for thei1
patriotism during the Revolution. Such
names as Morris, Meredith, Lewis, Grif-
fifth, Merrick, Williams, SC, have occu
flee and profession in the State and Union
Robert Morris was the great fnancier OF
the Revolution; Gen. Cadwallader was
known as a military man and special
friend of Washington; Oliver Evans, OF
Philadelphia. was the first to invent and
set in motion steam carriage and steam
boat. OF those people who rendered i'm
portant services during the Revolution
or since, in forming the government of
the several States of the Union, their
numbers are singularly great and their
services and position distinguished.
1t was the spirit of these Ancient Brit
ish laws-according to DR.. Alexander
Jones (Cymry of 1S76)-eXemplified in the
peaceful and happy governments of Roger
Williams and William Penn, which paved
the way for our freedom, and animated
the sages and soldiers of the American
Revolution. They brought with them a
patriotism kindled at the affairs of Amer
ican freedom, amidst the venerated hills
and mountains of Cambria. They brought
with them a courage and faith inspired
at the graves of their fathers. who had
GWCIfC SOl-
turies in defense of home and liberty.
Rest, ye brave dead, midst the hills
of your sires,
Oh! who would not slumber when
freedom expires.
The Cymry as a race have claims to
share in the annual celebration of Inde-
pendence Day while the liberty it has Sc
cured remains. And they can appropri-
ately dwell upon the character and deeds
of those of their race who distinguished
themselves during our long and severe
struggle. Among the noble band who
signed the Declaration of Independence
were seventeen men of Cambrian birth or
origin. These we shall briefly enumerate
as follows: First and foremost was
Thomas Jefferson, whose ancestors came
from the foot of Snowdon, in Wales, to
the Colony of Virginia. He always boast
min Harrison, of Virginia, was chairman
of the committee which reported the Dec
laration Of Independence. His ancestors
came from Wales. Samuel and John Ad-
ans were of Welsh origin. Rhode Island
sent to the convention Stephen Hopkins,
who came of Welsh family. Connecti-
cut sent William Williams, who belonged
to Welsh family. New York sent four
delegates to the Continental Congress in
1766. Three of the number who pledged
the great State and their own lives and
fortunes to freedom and independence
wereW elshmen by birth or origin. One was
William Floyd, who was born on Long
Island in 1884. The second was Francis
Lewis, who was born in South Wales in
1713. The third was Lewis Morris, who
was born of a Welsh family in 1926. He
lost large amount of property by the
war; The fourth was Mr.. Livingston,
who was of scotch descent, though his
family came from Holland. From Penn
sylvania we have Robert Morris, who
was born in Wales in 1913. He was con-
sidered the ablest fnancier in the country
For long time his individual credit was
superior to that of Congress itself. He
lost an immense fortune in the cause, and
died comparatively poor. Francis Hop
kins was descended from Welsh family,
and was member of the Continental
Congress from New Jersey. He wrote
several pamphlets in favor of the patri-
otic cause, and was the author of Hail
Columbia" our National air. He also
wrote the Battle of the Keggs." From
his name, George Clymes was probably of
Welsh family descent. John Morton, of
Pennsylvania, was native of Delaware,
and was descended from Welsh family
on his mothers side. He was on the
Committee which reported the articles of
Confederation. John Penn was of Welsh
family, born in Virginia. Arthur Mid
dleton was of Welsh origin, born in South
Carolina. A large portion of his great
fortune was sacrificed during the Revo-
luton. Button Guinnett was native of
Wales, and a delegate from Georgia to the
Continental Congress. He was born in
1882; assisted in framing the State Con-
stitution of Georgia, and was President
of the State, at that time an Office equiva-
lent to Governor. Among the signers
from Virginia, besides Thomas Jefferson
and. Benjamin Harrison, was Richard
Henry Lee, who was also from Welsh
family. He had the honor to offer the
resolution declaring the colonies free and
independent Francis Henry Lightfoot
Lee was also signer from Virginia, and
of Welsh origin.
There have been five Presidents of the
United States who were said on good his
torical grounds to have been of Welsh de-
scent Three of them bore part as SOL
diers in the Revolutionary Army. They
were Thomas Jefferson, James Madison,
James Monroe and William Henry Har-
rison. To this list if we add, which we
may do on what is said to be good au-
thority, the names Of John and John
Quincy Adams, it would make seven eX-
ecutive officers of the United States of
Trbn I,oncf icti SJ Oh